smith



(N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- J. SMITH.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

Patented Jan. 31

Phuln-Lilhugmpher. Washingmn. n. c.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. SMITH.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

No. 252,975. Patented Jan. 31,1882.

States ijlTE JOHN SMITH, OF HORIOON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN LITTLE, OF SAME PLACE.

FRICTION=CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,975, dated January 31, 1882,

Application filed December 20, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN SMITH, of Horicon, in the county of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements 5 in Friction-Clutches, of which the following is a specification. a

This invention relates to that class of friction-clutches in which a flexible band encircling a hub or pulley is provided with mech- 1o anism by which it may be tightened thereon or loosened at will.

The improvements consist in novel means for tightening and loosening the band; in a peculiar manner of combining therewith and arranging a treadle and spring, whereby the depression of the treadle is made to cause the clutch to be tightened and the wheel to revolve, and whereby, also, the spring is caused to elevate the treadle, release the clutch, and

restore the parts to their first position, and in details hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. represents a perspective view of the improved mechanism complete, adapted for operating sewing-machines, scroll-saws, and other light machinery in which continuous rotary motion in one direction is required. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view,in perspective, of the clutch mechanism proper; Fig. 3, a face view, showing the 0 parts separated; Fig. 4, a view showing the operating-arm connected directly with the lever'by which the band is tightened, instead of being connected therewith by intermediate gear, as in the other figures.

5 The primary object of this invention is to afford means for imparting a very high speed to light machinery without requiring the rapid movement of the treadle or other operatinglever employed. A further object is to pro- 40 vide means of compensating for wear of the parts or stretching of the band. These objects are attained by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which A represents a shaft, upon which is loosely mounted a driving-wheel, B,to be driven or operated by the clutch mechanism, anda swinging arm or block, 0, provided with a hub, a, upon which latter is wound a strap or band, D, the opposite end of which is attached to a treadle or other operating-lever, E, as shown.

The driving-wheel B is formed with a hub or boss, 1), upon which is mounted aloose ring or collar, F,which in turn carries a flexible band, G. The band Gr encircles the band or boss I),

and is at one end connected with the ring or collar F by a link, 0, and at the opposite end by a similar link, (I, to a lever, H, pivoted to said ring or collar, and serving, when moved in the proper direction,to tighten the band G D, and in the reverse direction by the spring I, coiled abouta rod, J, which is bent into the form of a circle concentric with shaft A, and has one end secured to the lower'end of block or arm 0, while the other end slides through an eye or guide, K, secured to the frame or some other stationary part of the machine. When the lever H is to be operated directly by the arm or block G the upper end of said lever is bent at right angles to form an arm,-e, which is extended through a slot, 7, in the upper end of said arm, as shown in Fig. at. When, however, as is preferred,intermediate gearing is employed, the lever is slotted'at its upper end to receive a pin, g, on a pinion, h, which pinion is rotated by a second pinion, '5, turning upon a center or pivot on the collar or ring F. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the pinions are eccentric to their shafts 0r pivots, so that as pinion it turns upon its fixed center orjournal it will crowd or force the journal or axle of pivot h from it in 'the slotsj of the collar and its cap-plate F, causing the lever H to swing a considerable distance about its pivot and to quickly take up the slack of band G. causing it to be tightened upon the hub or boss I), and thus 0 to secure the movement of the wheel B. An arm, H, is in such case secured to the pinion 2'. As the strap or band 1) continues to unwind from the hub or boss a the block or arm 0, and with it the wheel B, is caused to re- 5 volve, the spring I at the same time being compressed. Pressure then being removed from the treadle or lever E the spring I reverses the movement of the arm or block 0, causing the baud G to relax its hold upon the huh I) of I00 wheel B, which wheel continues to revolve, while the spring turns the block and its hub a backward, rewinding the strap or band D upon the latter preparatory to another depression of the treadle and consequent impulse to the wheel B.

The band G may be of any suitable materialsteel, iron, brass, or other metal, or leather, rubber, or similar flexible material-though steel is deemed best because of its elasticity and strength. The elasticity of the band G will cause it to spring from the hub or boss quickly, and thus insure the free rotation of the wheel.

It is ObYlOllS that the device may be applied to other purposes than driving machinery, and that by attaching the spring-guide to the wheel the device may be made to clutch wheels to rotary shat'ting.

I am aware that clutching, devices have hitherto been constructed in which a flexible band has been arranged to encircle a hub or pulley, and provided with means for tightening it thereon; and I am also aware that such devices have been furnished with a spring to return the tightening devices to their first or normal position; but I am not aware that any one has hitherto constructed and arranged the parts in the manner herein set forth.

It will be seen that the strap G will need to be wound in the opposite direction on the hub b from that shown when the lever B is directly operated by the swinging-arm.

It will also be understood that a weight or other form of spring than that shown may be employed to turn the swinging arm to its normal position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The herein-described apparatus for imparting rotary motion to machinery, consisting of shaft A, loose wheel B, provided with hub or boss b, collar F, band Gr, lever H, slotted arm 0, provided with hub a, strap D, and treadle or lever E.

2. In combination with a loose wheel having a projecting hub or boss, a collar mounted upon said hub and provided with a flexible band, a lever pivoted to said collar and connected with one end of said band, and a swinging arm or block mounted upon the shaft and adapted to move said lever, substantially in the manner set forth.

3. In combination with the wheel A, band G, lever H, and arm 0, a flexible band or strap, D, treadle or lever E, and spring F, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with the friction-band G and lever H, spring I, coiled about a circular core, J, as shown, whereby the use of a long elastic spring is permitted.

5. In combination with the friction-band and its lever H, the arm or block 0, the circular core or rod J, guide K, and spring I, coiled about core J, as shown and described.

6. In combination with the wheel A and friction-band G, the lever H and eccentric pinions h t, the former mounted in slotted bearings and the latter provided with an arm, H, substantially as shown.

JOHN SMITH.

Witnesses:

CHARLES ALLEN, E. F. HANF. 

